Information literacy and its application in nursing education

Abstract

Information literacy has been embedded by the university into the first year nursing curriculum. Embedding this literacy will not necessarily ensure the nursing graduates will apply this skill to the provision of high quality evidence-based health care. For this to happen information literacy skills gained in the classroom must contribute to sound decision making based on best practice evidence. This paper discusses the findings of a three phases research project designed to (i) determine the information literacy skills, confidence and problem solving abilities of students entering the university's Bachelor of Nursing Program; (ii) determine if information literacy skills, confidence and problem solving abilities improve as a result of embedding information literacy instruction into a nursing course; and iii) ascertain whether there are any differences in information literacy skills, confidence and problem solving abilities based on the students demographic information. Data were collected in two sequential semesters using a questionnaire administered to the students. The response rates in semester one and two were 45 and 56 per cent respectively. Student confidence and awareness regarding information literacy is positively affected by learning experiences from semester one to semester two. Students indicated that they need both specific and regular instruction to adequately retain learning. Overall the study suggests that embedding information literacy instruction into the first year, first semester nursing program is beneficial. By the second semester the information literacy confidence and awareness of students increased as a result of intra-curricular instruction, however, problem solving skills need to be improved.